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Scripture Reading:  Psalm 15

I Sought for a Man

Intro.

1.  Ezek. 22:30 – God looked for a man who would “stand in the gap” to protect His people from defilement & His sure wrath against sin (Psa. 106:23).

2.  God looks for godly men in a godless world.

3.  A man can be God’s man in today’s world – Titus 2:1-2, 6-8.

4.  Don’t be fooled into believing the world’s definition of a “real man” – it is not God’s man!     

I.  THE WORLD’S VIEW OF A “REAL MAN.”

  A.  “Legal Age” (21 yrs old; cf. 1 Kgs. 12:6-8).

  B.  Physical Strength (virile, muscular, fit, “might makes right”).

    1.  Will not always be so, but no less a man (Psa. 71:9; Prov. 20:29).

    2.  cf. Samson – Strong, yet foolish.

  C.  Wealth (money-making ability; Lk. 12:15; cf. 9:58).

  D.  Machismo (tough-guy; displays a prideful heart; Prov. 21:4; 16:18).

    1.  “I’m my own man & nobody is going to tell me what to do!”

    2.  This “man” hasn’t yet learned that we are all under authority to someone or something (Matt. 8:9).

II.  SHOW THYSELF A MAN – 1 Kgs. 2:1-3.

  A.  God’s Man is Strong in Faith – 2:2 (cf. Josh. 1:6, 7, 9).

    1.  Moral courage & the fortitude of faith, not physical prowess, marks God’s man – 1 Cor. 16:13 (cf. 2 Pet. 1:5).

    2.  You will be challenged every day (family, work, friends; respon., temptations, etc.). 

    3.  God’s man wears the shield of faith (Eph. 6:16).

  B.  God’s Man is Obedient – 2:3.

    1.  Humble, obedient faith that walks in God’s ways marks God’s man – cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

    2.  Wise & solid foundation for life – Matt. 7:24-25.

  C.  God’s Man is Responsible – 2:3.

    1.  Keeps the charge of the Lord:  God’s man knows he is a steward of the blessings & gifts of God – cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-2.

    2.  Accepts his role & work; Holds himself responsible & answerable; doesn’t blame others when he bears responsibility.

    3.  Dependable, reliable & trustworthy:  Wife?  Children?  Parents?  Co-workers?  Church?  God?

  D.  God’s Man is Honorable – 2:4.

    1.  Truth & integrity of heart marks God’s man – cf. Matt. 22:37.

    2.  Clean & steadfast heart – Psa. 51:10.

    3.  His motives are upright, his attitudes pure.

III.  GOD IS LOOKING FOR REAL MEN – Jer. 5:1; Isa. 66:2.

  A.  God’s Man is Just & Fair – Jer. 5:1.

    1.  God’s man does not promote himself at the expense of others; not oppressive.

    2.  He is honest, equitable & just in his treatment of others; does not surrender his integrity:

      a.  Toward his wife – 1 Pet. 3:5-7.

      b.  Toward his children – Col. 3:21.

      c.  Toward his word in business, etc. – Psa. 15:4-5.

  B.  God’s Man is a Seeker of Truth – 5:1.

    1.  God’s man shuns evil, pursues truth & righteousness - 1 Tim. 6:11-12.

    2.  Conforms himself to word of God – 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (2 Tim. 2:15).

  C.  The Conduct of God’s Man Blesses Others – 5:1.

    1.  God’s man is concerned about the welfare of others – cf. Gal. 6:1-2.

    2.  His example & influence helps through around him (1 Pet. 2:12).

  D.  God’s Man Knows His Limitations & Puts His Faith in God – Isa. 66:2.

    1.  God’s man is humble & merciful of heart, which governs his conduct before God and toward others – Micah 6:6-8.

    2.  Knows he is a man before Almighty God! – Psa. 8:4, 9

Conclusion 

1.  There is no man who has not sinned in these matters – 1 Kgs. 8:46.

2.  God provides forgiveness; men should reverence Him! – Psa. 130:3-4

3.  Whose man will you be:  the world’s, or God’s?